treat yourself on a budget / indulge in an at-home, mini facial

If you’re reading Belong Magazine, you’re likely either a blogger, entrepreneur, or multi-passionate woman. You’ve got a lot on your plate. Maybe you’re balancing a day job with a side hustle like I am, or you’re just starting up your small business, or you’re a mom with a blog.

Whatever the case may be, time and money for self-care is probably hard to come by.

As much as I’d love to spend full days or weekends relaxing at a spa, it’s just not in my budget! But that doesn’t mean I don’t treat myself. Once a month, I set aside 30-45 minutes and indulge in an at-home mini facial, and you can too!

Here’s my routine:

EXFOLIATE / Any of the body scrubs can be used on your face except the Green Tea Salt Scrubs, whose grains are a bit too big for our gentle facial skin. My preference is either the Coffee Sugar Scrub (which also reduces puffiness), Orange Sugar Scrub (it’s so uplifting!) or Rose Himalayan Salt Scrubs (which mineralizes and smoothes fine lines and wrinkles).

APPLY A FACIAL MASK / I use one of my just-add-water clay masks: Charcoal (detox - for oily/acneic skin), Chocolate (hydrate - for all skin types), or Rose (mineralize - for all skin types). For added benefits, you can mix in lots of things besides water — honey, yogurt, and green tea are a few of my go-to’s. Once applied, leave the mask on for 10-15 minutes before rinsing off. You can also try a make-it-yourself mask like those you can find in this ebook DIY Natural Beauty on a Budget. The Tropical Brightening & Exfoliating Enzyme Mask with Papaya + Pineapple is my absolute favorite. Plus, the leftover ingredients make a delicious smoothie!

CUCUMBER SLICES ON YOUR EYES / There’s a reason they do this at spas. Those cool cucumber slices reduce puffiness and redness. If you don’t have a cucumber handy, you can use cooled, used green tea bags. (Make yourself some tea first for even more relaxation!) Place these on your eyes while you’re waiting for your mask to dry.

USE A TONER / The most overlooked step in every skincare ritual is the toner, but it’s the one that could make the most difference in your skin. It did for me. When we wash our face with a soap-based cleanser, the pH level of our skin becomes slightly alkaline. A toner brings it back to balance by adding a little acidity. Balancing your pH level is important because it keeps your oil production in check. Plus, the Rose + Tea Facial Toner contains Aloe Vera, Green Tea Extract, and Rosewater, which hydrate, diminish puffiness, and encourage cell turnover. Use a toner every day after washing your face.

END WITH A FACIAL SERUM / Oil-based facial serums are so much more luxurious and nutrient-rich than water-based moisturizers. Plus, because they don’t contain water, they don’t require toxic chemical preservatives. The Rejuvenating Facial Serum revives lackluster skin, regulates oil production (so it’s great for dry, oily, combination or normal skin), smooths fine lines and wrinkles, and so much more because it’s packed with Vitamins A & E, plus omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. It’s the cherry on top of your DIY home facial.

Bonus points if you do this while sipping on a cup of green tea and soaking in the tub. Of course, Florapothecarie makes bathing salts for that too.

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Sami Jo Jensen is the founder + natural skincare maker behind florapothecarie, a line of 100% natural + vegan handmade beauty products. Sami has been studying herbalism and creating her own cosmetic concoctions since the age of 11. She’s on a mission to help women embrace their natural beauty, educate them on the toxins in cosmetics, and help them find natural alternatives.